Wren Kitchens?

[chrisd]

Management dragged me to an out of town shopping area to look at new kitchens yesterday. The store was Wren Kitchens and their setup looked pretty decent and I just wondered if anyone has used them and how they performed. Any other good supplier suggestions ?

Thanks

 

[richart]

Management dragged me to an out of town shopping area to look at new kitchens yesterday. The store was Wren Kitchens and their setup looked pretty decent and I just wondered if anyone has used them and how they performed. Any other good supplier suggestions ?

Thanks

Do they specialise in small kitchens ?

 

[williamalex1]

The have some mixed reviews.

 

[tugglesf239]

Have you just won a Major?

 

[GB72]

Having had kitchens fitted at my last 3 houses (in fact the one in my current house is being fitted as we speak) I have come to the conclusion that unless you are spending a fortune or going very bespoke, most kitchens are much of a muchness. What has made a difference is the quality of the designer who comes to measure up as some have made much more of the available space and been more willing to help in the process and ask the right questions. This then needs to be supported by a top level fitter who can put into effect the full design and make the most of the little quirks and idiosyncrasies that the room may have. My current house has a small kitchen and so making the most of the space was essential. There was also need to inset a cupboard into and alcove, leave room for a sliding pantry door whilst keeping the surfaces looking smart, working out how to be able to raise or remove part of the work surface to access the boiler etc. It is these jobs that show the skill of the fitter and where you really see where your money is spent.
If it is of interest, Wickes fitted my last kitchen and did a very good job for a very reasonable price. This time I have spent a little more on a Howdens kitchen and it also needed appliances etc so was going to be more expensive. So far it looks great, quality seems good and the fitter has been superb.
I ended up with a Howdens kitchen in this instance because I found the fitter first based on work done for friends and went with the supplier that he recommended.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Another plus 1 for Howdens
had a new kitchen and utility fitted within the last 2 months and very pleased with it

 

[vkurup]

We are looking at options.. so have got the Wren catalogue. Haven't gone to see them yet. Howdens come highly recommended from all the builders we have spoken to - but I think they are the next level of cost.
A neighbour is doing a refurb and they were down to Howden or Benchmark and ended up going with Benchmarx simply because She could go to the Benchm showroom and see the Kitchen rather than the Howden brochure.
My current one is a B&Q Cooke & Lewis Kitchen. I must say that besides the bit of botched DIY that the previous owner did, it is hard to knock the quality of the product. You could put a Howden or any other label and get away with it. All comes down to the fitter..

 

[louise_a]

Having working for a fitted kitchen company for 30 years before they closed down, I can endorse the fact that its the fitter that makes the difference.

 

[spongebob59]

Having working for a fitted kitchen company for 30 years before they closed down, I can endorse the fact that its the fitter that makes the difference.

+1.
Units tend to much of a muchness, all depends how they are fitted.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

You'll find the wren kitchens are actually the same as the howdens units.

 

[Old Skier]

I found that after design it's down to the quality of the fitter.

 

[chrisd]

Thank you all for your comments (except Richart)

I shall look at Howdens too

 

[c1973]

Look for a good solid carcass first and foremost, avoid anything that doesn't have a solid back (flimsy board is a no no). That's the key.

Then as said it's all down to the quality of the design and skill of the fitter.

 

[chrisd]

Look for a good solid carcass first and foremost, avoid anything that doesn't have a solid back (flimsy board is a no no). That's the key.

Then as said it's all down to the quality of the design and skill of the fitter.

Will do cheers

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I have a Wren kitchen myself, and am very pleased with it. Having said that, the designer and fitter was fantastic......me
Previously I would have gone for a Magnet kitchen, but they don't now mitre and resin bond their carcasses, so are not as strong or well made.
The Wren carcasses and cupboard backs were all thicker than most of the competition.
My wifes cousin had a Wren kitchen on seeing how ours turned out. Whilst the kitchen stuff itself is good, the fitter made a real mess, and messed lots of it up which meant delays in finishing the job.

 

[chrisd]

I have a Wren kitchen myself, and am very pleased with it. Having said that, the designer and fitter ws fantastic......me
Previously I would have gone for a Magnet kitchen, but they don't now mitre and resin bond their carcasses, so are not as strong or well made.
The Wren carcasses and cupboard backs were all thicker than most of the competition.
My wifes cousin had a Wren kitchen on seeing how ours turned out. Whilst the kitchen stuff itself is good, the fitter made a real mess, and messed lots of it up which meant delays in finishing the job.

Thanks for your input

 

[vkurup]

Having working for a fitted kitchen company for 30 years before they closed down, I can endorse the fact that its the fitter that makes the difference.

Based on your experience, what should you look out for when visiting the showroom. To an untrained eye, most of the carcasess & doors look the same. I could not make out the difference between a B&Q and a Moben kitchen.

 

[williamalex1]

Make sure the fitting guys use a qualified electrician. :thup: